Quindecim

Issue date: 5/8/07 Section: Features

Media Credit: Kate Maskarinec The Relay for Life committee, consisting of 11 students, has been working on coordinating this event since the beginning of September.

While cancer might be just a distant word for some Goucher College students, for others, it is a challenging and difficult reality. Kate Maskarinec, one of the co-chairs of this year's Relay for Life, is the daughter of a three-time cancer survivor.

"Probably everyone in this community has been affected by cancer in some way or another," she guessed, "so it's something that's really prevalent…and [Relay] is a way to bring people from all different backgrounds and interests together. Everyone can find some way to relate to it and participate."

With over 250 registered participants, this year's Relay for Life at Goucher College has gone beyond all of the 11-member committee's expectations. In addition to teams just from Goucher, two teams from Towson University, a high school team, and a Kiwanis team joined in the Relay. As far as monetary fundraising, their goal of $30,000 was passed on the night of April 29 with a total of $31,125, a total that will not be done growing until May 6.

Wendy Eklund, the other co-chair of Relay, has also been deeply affected by cancer. 10 years ago, her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer, and then a little over 2 years ago, with bone cancer.

"Relay is just a really good way for me to be able to give back for all of the things and all of the support that I and my family have received from other people, especially from the American Cancer Society. It's really just my personal way of giving back to others who have gone through what I have," Eklund stated.

At a time in the semester where finals, papers, and presentations are bogging down on all of our minds, Maskarinec and Eklund have managed to devote several hours of planning and preparation into Relay.

Maskarinec laughed, "For the past week [before Relay], we've been working every second we haven't been in class. It's all Relay all the time."

While the American Cancer Society sponsors and supports all of the Relays that happen around the country, it's up to the individual committees to really bring individuality to the event.

"ACS has listened to our ideas and helps us implement them, as well as giving us resources," Eklund said. Events such as Miss Relay, Pie Your CA/CLC/J-Board Member, and the Rickshaw rides were all a part of Goucher students' excitement for Relay.

Maskarinec said, "Each team always has one member walking. It represents the constant fight against cancer. Cancer never sleeps, and for one night, neither will we."

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